Alcohol Consumption Linked to Premature Aging

New Study Finds Long-Term Alcohol Intake Increases Biological Age

Press Release

Oxford, UK - February 28, 2023 - Researchers from Oxford Population Health have published results from a new genetic-based study that examines the relationship between alcohol consumption and age-related diseases. The findings suggest that long-term alcohol consumption is associated with greater biological aging, as quantified by epigenetic markers. The study, published in the journal Nature Aging, used data from two large cohort studies: the UK Biobank and Generation Scotland. The researchers analyzed genetic data from over 180,000 individuals to estimate their long-term average alcohol consumption. They then compared this data to measures of biological aging, such as DNA methylation and telomere length. The researchers found that higher long-term average alcohol consumption was significantly associated with biological aging. This association was strongest in middle-aged and older people. They also found that any change in drinking frequency or amount of alcohol intake was associated with changes in biological aging. "Our findings suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with greater biological aging, which may help explain the link between alcohol and age-related diseases," said lead researcher Dr. James Timmons. "This study provides new evidence for the premature aging hypothesis, which posits that alcohol dependence accelerates aging." The researchers note that their study is observational and cannot establish a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and biological aging. However, they say that their findings highlight the need for further research to understand the mechanisms by which alcohol consumption may affect the aging process.